Term for Identification: Criollos

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is The term "criollos" refers to a social class that was prominent in the colonial social hierarchy in Spanish America and the Spanish Philippines. Criollos were locally born people of pure or mostly Spanish ancestry. In the context of the Spanish Empire, they were distinguished from the peninsulares, who were Spaniards born in Spain (the Iberian Peninsula), and from the indigenous peoples, Africans, and people of mixed ancestry.

During the colonial period, criollos were often well-off, owning land and having political influence, but they were typically ranked below the peninsulares in the social hierarchy. This distinction led to tensions and contributed to the independence movements in the 19th century, as criollos played a significant role in the fight for independence from Spain in various Latin American countries.

After independence, the term continued to be used, but its meaning evolved to refer more broadly to people of European descent or to the culture that emerged from the blending of European and local traditions in the former Spanish colonies.

Term for Identification: Criollos

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